Heat the olive oil in a large soup kettle over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, garlic, and thyme, and cook, stirring several times, for 10 minutes, until the vegetables soften. Put the tomatoes with their juice in a food processor and chop coarsely.

Add the tomatoes to the sautéed vegetables along with the drained beans, chicken stock, tomato paste, and cheese rind. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove the rind, cut it into tiny cubes, and return it to the soup. Add the pasta and cook for about 5 minutes more, or until the pasta is cooked. Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with grated cheese.